Sunderland winger Will Buckley has joined Birmingham City on a month’s loan.

Then-coach Gustavo Poyet was dogged in his pursuit of the right-winger, who he worked with at Brighton and Hove Albion, but he has since fallen out of favour.

A £2.5m signing from the Seagulls in August 2014, the 26-year-old was unable to convince Poyet, never mind his successors, that he had what it takes to be a regular in the Premier League.

He has started just nine top-flight matches for the Black Cats, and has not featured at all this season.

Like his former Brighton team-mate Liam Bridcutt, he was loaned to Leeds United before Christmas, but only started once for the Elland Road club.

Buckley needs regular Championship football to get his career moving again, and Sunderland need to cut their wage bill having signed Jan Kirchhoff and Dame N’Doye in the January transfer window.

Birmingham are on the look-out for players with Premier League quality. Buckley has joined until February 11, but it would suit everyone if he impressed enough to extend that until the end of the season.

Manager Gary Rowett believes Birmingham can get Buckley’s career up and running again.

“Will is a player that we really like,” he said. “We’ve had good examples across the board – and in our previous club and also in this one, where we’ve got players back on track.

“We’ve given players maybe a little bit of extra confidence to go and show what they can do.

“The likes of Jacques Maghoma is a really good case in point where people doubt the signing maybe a little bit at first. I see Will as one of those players.

“We’re looking for players with Premier League quality, maybe a little bit of Premier League experience as well.

“He’s been in a play-off challenge with Brighton the season they got to the play-offs and he’s a player that I think most people would say 18 months ago he was probably one of the best attacking players in this division.

“He was brilliant with Brighton he was full of running and so quick, good character and good lad and I think he’ll fit into what we’re doing really well.

“Sometimes players like that you just need to give them some games and an opportunity.

“And of course at Sunderland at the moment, the situation they’re in they’ve got to do what they’ve got to do and for whatever reason he hasn’t played many games up there.

“It’s up to us to see if we can get a little continuity and see if we can grow his performances bit by bit.”